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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"